Code reader fingerprint scanner

• US 6,263,090 B1
• Filed: 05/18/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonavation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cross Match Technologies Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Davis, James E., Scott, Walter Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHTA, BHAVESH M
• Application Number:
  US09/080,911
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 356/74, 356/71, 283/68-69, 382/116, 382/124-127, 382/115, 235/380, 235/382, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A code reader incorporated into a fingerprint scanner for viewing of security items such as credit cards, bank cards, passports and the like and comparing embedded coding on the item to an individual'"'"'s fingerprint. In this manner, the imaging plane can be used to view the security items in combination with scanning the fingerprint of the individual for comparison.

Claims

1. A method for identity verification, comprising the steps of:

capturing at least one fingerprint image and generating information representative thereof, wherein said capturing step comprises the steps of;

illuminating a scanner plate with light of a second spectral characteristic to create a fingerprint image, and

detecting the fingerprint image;

reading fingerprint coding placed upon a security item and generating information representative thereof, wherein said reading step comprises the steps of;

receiving the security item in an image area.

illuminating the image area with light of a first spectral characteristic, and

detecting the image area; and

comparing the information representative of the fingerprint coding and information representative of the captured at least one fingerprint image;

whereby an identity verification can be made.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said comparing step comprises the step of comparing information representative of said detected image area and information representative of said detected fingerprint image.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of switching between said detecting the image area step and said detecting the fingerprint image step.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said fingerprint image detecting step comprises the step of:

conducting light reflected from the scanner plate along a first path to a camera;

wherein said image area detecting step comprises the steps of;

conducting light reflected from the image area along a second path that is perpendicular to the first path; and

redirecting the light conducted along the second path to travel along the first path to the camera.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said reading step comprises:

reading fingerprint coding placed upon the security item, said fingerprint coding comprising at least one of UPC, OCR-B, PDF417, and DataGlyph formats.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said reading step comprises:

reading fingerprint coding placed upon the security item, said fingerprint coding comprising a PDF format.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said reading step comprises the step of reading fingerprint coding placed upon a security item, wherein the security item is at least one of a credit card, a bank card, and a passport.

8. An apparatus for verifying identity, said apparatus comprising:

a fingerprint scanner;

a code reader, wherein said code reader reads an identification code from a security item, wherein said code reader illuminates said security item with light of a second spectral characteristic; and

a computer that compares information representative of a fingerprint image scanned by said fingerprint scanner to information representative of an identification code read by said code reader, whereby an identity can be verified when the comparison indicates a match occurs;

wherein said fingerprint scanner comprises;

a camera,

a transparent fingerprint scanner plate that a finger may be placed against,

a fingerprint scanner light source that illuminates said finger with light of a first spectral characteristic through said fingerprint scanner plate producing a reflected fingerprint image,

a prism that filters said reflected fingerprint image,

a fingerprint scanner lens element that focuses said reflected fingerprint image,

a dichroic mirror that substantially directs said reflected fingerprint image toward said camera, and

at least one lens element that further focuses said reflected fingerprint image to said camera for detection of said reflected fingerprint image.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said fingerprint scanner light source comprises at least one LED of said at least a first spectral characteristic.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said code reader comprises:

a card support that a security item is placed against;

at least one card illuminator that illuminates said security item placed in said card support producing a reflected security item image; and

a card reader lens element that focuses said security item image;

wherein said dichroic mirror directs said security item image through said at least one lens element to said camera where said security item image is detected.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one card illuminator illuminates said security item with said light of at least a second spectral characteristic.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said computer comprises a frame grabber that receives detected images from said camera and generates outputs representing frames corresponding to the detected images.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computer comprises:

a fingerprint image coder that codes at least one fingerprint image output by said frame grabber;

a security item image reader that reads at least one security item image output by said frame grabber and outputs a security item image code;

a code comparator that compares the coded fingerprint image to the security item image code, and determines whether a match exists; and

an output device which indicates whether said match exists.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said fingerprint scanner, said code reader, and said computer are mounted in a single housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said identification code includes fingerprint coding in at least one of UPC, OCR-B, PDF417, and DataGlyph formats.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said identification code includes fingerprint coding in a PDF format.

17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said security item is at least one of a credit card, a bank card, and a passport.

18. A system for identity verification, comprising:

means for capturing at least one fingerprint image and generating information representative thereof, wherein said capturing means comprises;

means for illuminating a scanner plate with light of a second spectral characteristic to create a fingerprint image, and

means for detecting the fingerprint image;

means for reading fingerprint coding placed upon a security item and generating information representative thereof, wherein said reading means comprises;

means for receiving the security item in an image area,

means for illuminating the image area with light of a first spectral characteristic, and

means for detecting the image area; and

means for comparing the information representative of the fingerprint coding and information representative of the captured at least one fingerprint image;

whereby an identity verification can be made.

19. An apparatus for verifying identity, comprising:

a fingerprint scanner having a surface that a finger may be placed against, and a fingerprint scanner light source tat illuminates the surface with light of a first spectral characteristic when a finger is placed on the surface to produce a reflected fingerprint image;

a code reader, wherein said code reader reads an identification code from a security item, wherein said code reader illuminates said security item with light of a second spectral characteristic; and

a comparator that compares information representative of the reflected fingerprint image scanned by said fingerprint scanner to information representative of an identification code read by said code reader, whereby an identity can be verified when the comparison indicates a match occurs.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said fingerprint scanner further comprises:

a dichroic mirror;

a camera; and

a prism, wherein said prism outputs the reflected fingerprint image to said dichroic mirror, and said dichroic mirror further directs the reflected fingerprint image to said camera.